Trump ‘Orders’ U.S. States To Reopen Churches

Tensions were rising Saturday after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded that states allow churches and other houses of worship to reopen from stay-at-home restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. Saying America needed more prayer, Trump threatened to override governors’ orders though he faced constitutional limits to enforce these policies.

US Mission Pilot Dies In Indonesia Crash

An American mission pilot flying much-needed coronavirus test kits to a remote village in Indonesia has died in a plane crash, her Christian aviation organization confirmed.

Pope Calls People of All Faiths to a Day of Prayer on May 14

The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has called on believers of all religions to “unite together spiritually” and pray on May 14 that God would “help humanity overcome the coronavirus pandemic.” However, many evangelical leaders warn about ecumenical movements laying aside essential doctrines of the faith for the sake of unity and affirm this is the apostasy of which the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2.

US Clinical Trial Launched to Assess Power of Prayer for COVID-19 Patients

A US clinical trial has been launched into whether multi-denominational prayer can help patients with COVID-19, the New York Post reports. Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, a cardiologist at the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, is leading a trial involving 1000 coronavirus patients who require intensive care because of the infection. The trial began on May 1 and is due to last four months.

America’s Unique Bond with Israel on This National Day of Prayer

Today, May 7th is the National Day of Prayer in the United States, a tradition that began as early as 1775. In 2019, President Donald Trump proclaimed “Our Nation’s honored tradition of prayer has sustained us and strengthened our trust that God will continue to watch over and accompany us through the best of times and the darkest hours. May we as Americans never forget the power of prayer and the greatness of our Creator. On this National Day of Prayer, let each of us, according to our own faiths, call upon God for His guidance and express our gratitude for the love and grace He bestows on us and our country.”

“Secret Church” service under apparent cyberattack

Organizers of the April 24 “Secret Church” online event reported that a cyberattack may have blocked many participants from logging on in real-time. Focused on God, government, and the Gospel, the event is simulcast to around 50,000 people worldwide and is centered on Bible study and prayer for persecuted Christians.

Tennessee Governor attends multi-church drive-in worship service

The Governor of Tennessee expressed full support for holding drive-in church services during the COVID-19 pandemic by attending such a service himself, Christian Headlines reports. At a time when state and local leaders have grappled with whether to allow drive-in services, Gov. Bill Lee attended a multi-church ‘Beyond Our Walls’ worship service on Sunday evening.

US Pastor Dies Of Coronavirus After Preaching Resurrection of Christ

A Baptist pastor in the U.S. state of Michigan has died shortly after celebrating his recovery from the new coronavirus and preaching about the resurrection of Christ. David Ford, a pastor at Friendship House of Prayer Baptist Church in the state capital Lansing, had been hospitalized with the virus disease COVID-19, friends said.

Facebook removes videos of military chaplains referring to God

Facebook has removed four videos of military chaplains encouraging prayer and referring to God during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fox News reported on Thursday. The posts were taken down after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRRF) complained the videos constituted ‘illicit proselytizing’ of Christianity.

Christian organization calling on US churches to reopen May 3

The Liberty Counsel (LC) Christian non-profit organization has launched the ReOpen Church Sunday campaign, calling on US churches to resume congregating in person on May 3, the Christian Post reports. As the campaign follows weeks of on-line worship services due to the coronavirus pandemic, LC advises that congregations should continue to observe social-distancing and sanitation measures at in-person services. However, LC says: ‘Now is the time to act.’

Atheist group awarded over $450,000 in South Carolina lawsuit against prayer at high school graduation

A South Carolina federal judge has awarded an atheist group over $450,000 in attorney’s fees and expenses after it filed a lawsuit to block public prayer at high school graduations, Christian Headlines reports. The award follows a finding last year that there should be limits to student-led prayers at graduation ceremonies. Given on April 14, the award is in respect of legal action initiated by the American Humanist Association (AHA) against Greenville County Schools in 2013. The suit was on behalf of the parents of a pupil who objected to students leading prayer at a graduation ceremony.

Evangelicals Pressure Trump To Release Detainees

U.S. President Donald Trump has come under evangelical pressure to release people from immigration detention centers amid concerns the new coronavirus will spread in the overcrowded facilities. Nine leaders of evangelical groups urged the Trump administration to release those “who do not pose a threat to public safety” during the coronavirus pandemic.

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